Northern Premier League Midlands
Watermead Lane, Nanpantan Road, Loughborough
Saturday, 5th November 2022, 3.00pm
Points Shared With Dynamo
There were no fireworks but Gresley Rovers came away with a point from Loughborough but really should have had all three their play, especially in the second, half fully deserved.
The first half was fairly even with both defences on top, but the second period belonged to the away side who made most of the chances.
Gresley’s keeper Lewis Fenney was called upon early to make a save to deny James Tague but the first real chance came to Gresley when Kieran Wells threaded the ball through for Kane Lee who raced into the area before being denied by a good block from Dynamo’s keeper Lewis King.
Dynamo’s Kevin DaSilva Bastos tried his luck with a low shot towards goal but it’s easy for the Fenney.
Rovers’ Keiron Berry was beginning to cause the home defence problems down the left and made some space before hitting a shot which was comfortably dealt with by King. Minutes later King came for a high ball but fumbled the ball, but his blushes were saved by a defender who was back to head the ball off the line.
Michael Williams was having a fine game and a superb mazy run was ended by Dynamo’s skipper Rob Norris whose clumsy challenge deservedly earned him a yellow card.
Rovers ended the half well on top but a combination of good keeping and defending kept the scores level.
Dynamo started the second half well but a blistering counterattack from Gresley saw a number of shots on Loughborough's goal, but unfortunately none of them found the back of the net.
On the hour mark, the home side made their first change with Belper on-loan striker replacing defender Charlie Holliday and he soon made an impact firing a first-time volley wide of the mark.
Rovers were catching Dynamo regularly with good quick counter attacks with this one ending with debutant James Spruces shot pushed away for a corner by King.
From yet another scintillating counterattack should have seen Rovers ahead when Spruce was put through on goal but didn’t quite hit his shot cleanly enough and his effort was well saved.
Gresley manager Carl Abbott was forced into his first change when Tyler Donaldson was replaced by Dylan Hunniford due to an injury. Hunniford had only been on the field a minute when a blatant push from Tague earned the No. 10 a yellow card.
From the resultant free kick Rovers came inches from taking a deserved lead. The superb kick was taken by Bekir Halil and his effort smashed against the base of the right post with King helpless.
The home side made another change bringing on former Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis McGugan for his debut replacing Jack Gibson.
More late changes for both sides with Kane Lee making way for Joe Blowers for the visitors and Rob Norris replaced by Princewill Ogunmekan for the home side.
Dynamo’s Lewis McGugan went into the referee’s book after having “words” with the official.
Rovers ended the game with yet another attack and almost snatched the winner when a cross was headed powerfully goalward by Mason Frizelle but agonisingly blistering the wrong side of the far post.
